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Iona
Iona, a tiny island of less than one square kilometre, right next to the isle of Mull, which is about a thousand times its size. Yet once upon a long time, Iona was one of the most important places in Scotland. 
Its rise started in 563 AD, its prominence endured for several centuries and it was only following the Reformation of 1560 that the place fell into decay. Judging by the picture, aye, Iona is known for religious reasons.
Now how did this wee island become a key ecclesiastical centre in Medieval Scotland (and even beyond)? Why did kings and members of important clans choose Iona as their final resting place? Why was this place supported by the biggest and mightiest of its day? 
Scores of books have been
written about this, but the basic story is that it started with the arrival of one man and twelve followers. He had royal (Irish) blood in his veins, which probably gave him a head start in the west of Scotland, where his kindred was living (the Scots have Irish roots). He founded a community on Iona and set out to convert other parts of Scotland. On his way he tamed the monster of Loch Ness and shook hands with the greatest men. Apart from that he was above all a scholar and he ultimately became a saint. His real name was probably Crimthann, but his peers would have called him Colum Cille. Today he is widely known as Saint Columba.
The abbey you see today is a restoration of a construction that started around 1200. The cross right in front of St Columba's shrine chapel is a replica of the original St John's Cross. It was designed in such manner that the shadow of the cross falls on the entrance of the shrine later in the day. Remains of the original cross along with fragments of St Oran's Cross are kept in the museum. The museum also houses graveslabs originally found on Reilig Odhrain / St Oran's graveyard. 
Other graveslabs are positioned around the cloister walls inside the abbey. They show great men in armour. Kings are buried on this tiny island, kings of Dalriada (the west of Scotland), kings of a more unified Scotland, kings who murdered their predecessors and allowed their former leaders to be buried on the holy island, only to meet the same fate. The last two kings buried on Iona were Macbeth and his stepson, king Lulach, who died 1058. The next king in line chose Dunfermline as his final resting place. But somewhere on Iona, a lot of kings are buried. And it's not yet known where exactly.
St Oran's Chapel stands on the grounds of Reilig Odhrain and is the oldest structure to have survived intact (except for the slate roof).
It was probably built by Somerled, 'king of the Isles' (the progenitor of the MacDonalds), prior to his death in 1164. And if it was not Somerled himself, then it was his son Reginald who had the chapel built. Several MacDonalds were buried outside and the tomb-recess inside the chapel might well be for the last Lord of the Isles, John.
In any case, this building is proof of the strong supportive bond the MacDonald 'Lord of the Isles' had with Iona.
Not every building of the ecclesiastical complex was restored. But that is not necessary.
The ruined wall of the Bishop's House has a perfect backdrop in the Ross of Mull. Picture perfect (though admittedly the weather has something to do with that too).
Apart 
from Benedictine monks, Iona also housed nuns who inhabited the Nunnery. These buildings were also constructed around 1200, but contrary to the Abbey, this complex was not restored.
So what is Iona? It's a great place to visit. It has history, it has stories to tell. That fancy book that is now in Dublin, the Book of Kells? Well, that was written here on Iona. Monks from this community wrote details on what was going on in the rest of Scotland. Unfortunately the Vikings came along... repeatedly. So the Book was moved (to Kells, where it got its name); fragments of the historic annals pop up in Irish lists. Can one imagine the information lost? Fascinating!
And for those who are just not that interested in dates and specific events, just come and visit Iona for the serenity of the place. It is a lovely place.
More information can be found on their website.
